MLS: Sebastien Le Toux returns to Philadelphia Union

FILE - In this June 11, 2011, file photo, Philadelphia Union's Sebastien Le Toux controls the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Real Salt Lake in Chester, Pa. The Union traded Le Toux to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, in exchange for allocation money. Per MLS and club policies, the terms of Tuesday's trade were not disclosed. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)

CHESTER — Sebastien Le Toux was Christmas shopping when he heard the news that he’d been traded back to Philadelphia.

Judging by the wide grin on the French striker’s face Friday, it looks like both player and club got the holiday gift they were looking for.

Le Toux was unveiled at PPL Park Friday a day after the Union re-acquired their all-time leading scorer via trade from New York.

“It’s a fantastic day for me,” Le Toux said. “I am very, very happy. You can’t imagine how happy I was to hear yesterday that I’m back in Philadelphia and playing for the Union. … I’m very proud to wear these colors and this jersey and play for Philadelphia.”

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“This year obviously was a very tough year for us, and we learned a lot,” Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz said. “… After John (Hackworth) took over, things stabilized quite a bit, we started playing good football again and we were missing a few pieces. And we always knew in our hearts that Sebastien is a Union player. It was hard for us to watch him play in Vancouver, and it was really hard to watch him play in New York, and we’re just delighted to welcome him back.”

The Union sent 22-year-old forward Josue Martinez and allocation money to New York Thursday. Per club and league policy, no details were given on the terms of Le Toux’s new deal with the club, but Sakiewicz said that “our intention is to have Sebastien here for a long time and not to wear another MLS jersey.”

Added a grinning Le Toux as to the technical terms: “Forever.”

Le Toux was unequivocal when he was dealt last January to Vancouver that he wanted to remain in Philadelphia, though that appeared impossible under the reign of coach Peter Nowak. With Hackworth since installed at the helm, Le Toux again expressed a desire to return to the club that picked him in the expansion draft prior to the 2010 season. The 28-year-old was equally adamant in end-of-season talks with a New York club shuffling its deck after another disappointing campaign: If he was going to be traded, Philadelphia was the only destination.

Le Toux expressed gratitude toward management in New York for promptly making the match, and Hackworth showed his enthusiasm to have a big attacking piece back in the fold.

“From the coaching staff, we’re just excited to have Seba back,” Hackworth said. “He was a huge part of this club the first two years, and we missed him last year. I’ve said it to everybody that we needed to have a goalscorer back, and we have the leading goalscorer in the history of our club back.”

In what Sakiewicz described as a “transition year,” he admitted that it took time to discover just how much Le Toux was missed on the field amid the tumult of coaching and system changes. But the loss of Le Toux as a face of the club was immediately apparent and a major priority to be rectified.

“I want to let the fans know that we heard them loud and clear when Sebastien left,” Sakiewicz said, “and we really strategized and thought real hard and listened to what the fans wanted to see here in Philadelphia, the kind of soccer they wanted to see here on the pitch and the type of players they wanted in this organization.”

After scoring a club record 25 goals in two seasons with the Union, Le Toux bounced around last season, playing 19 games with Vancouver before being dealt midseason to New York. He found opportunities hard to come by with the Red Bulls, starting nine times in 14 appearances.

The New York move turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Hackworth admits seeing it as a “short-term move” that first opened the door in his mind on the possibility to the 2010 MLS all-star’s return.

Part of the reason for the diminished production last year for Le Toux was tactical, as he was often deployed as a right-sided midfielder or winger, leading to just five goals in 33 MLS appearances. Hackworth offered no hesitation when asked where he sees Le Toux fitting in: He plans on playing Le Toux in his preferred forward’s role, likely pairing with last season’s leading scorer, Jack McInerney.

The particulars will wait, though. For now, Le Toux is headed to his native France for the holidays, but it’s a safe bet that the place he’s longed to call home for the last year will be squarely on his mind.

“I just think that when you are somewhere that’s meant to be,” Le Toux said, “and I think I’m just meant to be here.”

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Speaking of homecomings, the Union dealt away their pick in the Supplemental Draft to acquire veteran defender Jeff Parke from the Seattle Sounders.

The native of Abington and former FC Delco player made 78 appearances over the last three years in the Northwest after being picked up in the expansion draft by the Sounders. He spent the previous five seasons with New York in its various incarnations. He’s no stranger to soccer in the Philly area, having played at Downingtown West High School and Drexel.

“It is a dream come true to be able to come home and play in front of my hometown fans and the Union faithful,” Parke said. “I’m thrilled to join the organization and get started with the next chapter of my career.”

“We are excited to have Jeff join our team,” Hackworth said. “He is one of the top center backs in the League. His character and experiences as both a person and a player will definitely be welcomed in our locker room.”